ty reached the stream of which Katrine had spoken, and crossed it
in safety, and found before them an apparently smooth, undulating plain.
After journeying over this about half an hour, the moon rose, she being
some days past the full. By her light, and by the aid of the stars as
guides, Hans pursued a course which led nearly in the direction of his
countrymen's settlements; but as these were distant fully three days'
journey, even riding at the best speed, and as the parry had no
provisions, there seemed much to be overcome before a place of safety
could be reached.

CHAPTER TEN.

THE PRISONERS ARE FREE--THE PURSUIT--THE HORSES SICK--THE RIDE FOR
LIFE--THE CONCEALMENT.

The morning following that on which Hans and his companions had escaped,
broke with all the splendour of an African day. The dew had fallen
heavily during the night, and thus the first rays of the sun produced a
mist which hung like steam over the valleys; but this soon clearing
away, left the atmosphere clear and transparent; so that distance could
not be measured by atmosphere, as in our misty climate, but a far-off
range of mountains seemed within a short ride of the observers, whereas
it was distant at feast fifty miles. This clearness had a great
advantage for Hans' party, as it rendered surprise less likely than if a
dense fog or cloudy weather had prevailed.

No sooner did the slightest sign of daylight appear, than Hans, by the
aid of some loose powder and a piece of rag, with a flint and steel
lighted a fire, and commenced preparations for a breakfast. Victor and
Bernhard, like the others of the party, had merely lain down under the
shelter of some bushes to obtain a few hours' rest; but all had gone
supperless to bed, if bed it could be termed. But in such a climate a
night passed in the open country was not a very great hardship, even to
young girls like Katrine and her sister. That very unromantic feeling,
hunger, was however demanding attention; and when Victor and Bernhard,
suddenly awaking at the sound of Hans' flint and steel, started up and
observed daylight beginning to dawn, and Hans making a fire, they, with
an air of surprise, said--

"You have fire, Hans, but where is the food?"

"I did not like to fire a gun, lest I might disturb the country, and let
some strange Matabili know we were hereabouts; so I have procured
breakfast with a Matabili's assagy."

"What have you?" eagerly asked the hungry hunters.

"A youn